There is something more than majestic to mountain views. They draw us to them like any aspect of nature. They help us stay calm, focused and centered. It is not surprising that people love a home that has a beautiful view of the Mountains.

The challenge is building homes on a hillside is much costlier than building on flat land.

Most of the Phoenix area Valley of the Sun is flat as well. We do have Mountains surrounding the city. Where will you have the best chance of having magnificent Mountain Views? In the communities closest to the biggest mountains.

The most significant mountains in the area are to the north and east of Phoenix; Tonto National Forrest, and Superstition Mountains. There are a few other notable mountains scattered around as well.

This next group have fewer homes with mountain views, but views are available. I then would go to Canta Mia next to the Estrella Mountain Regional Park, and Sun City Festival with views of the White Tank Mountains. Lastly I include Solera at Jonson Ranch located next to the San Tan Mountains.

Talking with a Farmers Insurance Agent, I discovered there are discounts for most of the Active Adult Communities in the Greater Phoenix Valley. Call your agent, or Barb for more information on getting your discounts.

As Irma heads to Florida, Houston is in the early stages of picking up the wet pieces and trying to look forward to sunshine filled and dry days.

One area that is affected nationwide after a disaster like major Hurricanes is building supplies.

Building time frames will get longer in Arizona, and other states not affected by Harvey and Irma.

Suppliers prioritize their materials to those locations hit hardest. (and it is mandated by the government that they do) Builders in other areas and states have delays in their construction due to lack of materials. This also means that the builders don’t require as many employees to just hang around and wait to swing their hammer. The combination of lack of materials and fewer on hand workers result in delayed construction build times.

If you are already contracted with a builder for your new home, plan on your closing date being pushed out. If you are about to have a builder start your home, and they previously informed you of a 5-7 month build time. That just got extended to 7-9 months.

The builder purchase contract has a clause to allow them up to 2 years to get your home built. Now they don’t want to take that long, but they have the right to. That clause exists for times like these.

Many of the construction workers will leave states where they have resided and move temporarily to the areas that have been ravaged by nature. Creating another challenge of not enough construction workers available when the supplies are once again readily available.

Our prayers and donations are directed to helping so many recover from unimaginable loss.

Now available! through Lulu Publishing soon available at your favorite online retailer.

If you are about to turn fifty-five years old, there’s a good chance you’re thinking about where to go and what to do when you retire.

Thousands of people just like you have already made the leap, and many of them are enjoying life in active adult community. On the beach, in the mountains, in the desert, wherever you have envisioned for your retirement, it’s waiting!

Irene A. Hammond is a veteran real estate agent who prides herself on helping people find the perfect place to retire. She answers the questions you have been pondering and brings up other details for consideration. Get the answers to questions such as:

Is an active adult community right for me?

What are the benefits of a large or a small community?

Is it easy to make new friends in these communities?

Should I purchase a new build or purchase a resale home?

What is Estate Planning?

She also explains how you can be younger than 55 and still live in an active adult community, any fees you should know about, when is the best time to visit one of the communities, and common activities. Attorney Leanne B. Martin has written a bonus chapter on estate planning, trusts and wills.

Here is the guidance you need to enjoy the lifestyle you crave, with the active adult community insights in Retirement Isn’t Boring

Trilogy at Wickenburg Ranch is located to the north west of the greater Phoenix Valley of the Sun in the town of Wickenburg. Wickenburg is a true western town known for being the Roping Capital of Arizona and maybe even the country. It has a year round population of 7000 doubling in the winter months.

Trilogy at Wickenburg Ranch offers open land behind or abutting approximately 90% of the homesites. If your looking for beautiful mountain views you have come to the right location. Due to the hillier terrain they have terraced most of the community offering fabulous views of the surrounding mountains for not just a few but the majority of homes.

Like the other Trilogy communities, Wickenburg Ranch is a resort community. With the Alvea Spa, Big Wick and Li’l Wick golf, 20 miles of trails the 40,000 square foot indoor and outdoor clubhouse and much more. One of the unique elements of the community is the Solstice Park, sunken sitting area to enhance the dark night skies of Wickenburg with a state of the art digital telescope for ultimate star gazing.

This Trilogy community is part of Shea homes Active Lifestyle Communities, not age restrictive. Families are welcome to live in this community. There has been discussion about the builder doing a section of the community as strictly 55+ but at this time it hasn’t been established.

Great news, as of January 2018 Wickenburg Ranch is opening a 55+ neighborhood. This section of the community will be age restrictive, while the remainder of the community will be open for anyone looking to enjoy the views and lifestyle.

The newest Pulte Active Adult Living Community is Lone Tree. Located in Chandler, the small community of only 72 homes, is adjacent to the older Pulte communities of Solera and Springfield Lakes which adjoin the Lone Tree Golf Course. Lone Tree is unique, not only for its’ intimate size, but that the only amenity besides being gated, is a reduction in fees to use the Lone Tree Golf Course. The residents will not have reciprocal use of the Solera/Springfield Lakes clubhouses and amenities. The target homeowner is one who may still be working in the valley or perhaps with already established community activities and who just wants age restrictive surroundings, the security of a gated community and a beautiful new Pulte home. The first residents will be moving into their new homes in April of 2016 and community completion is expected within the year.

Trilogy at Verde River, originaly the Vista Verde development was to be the third of the “Verdes”. It was sold in 2014, in its’ infant stage, as growth had stalled during the real estate downturn. The golf course was renamed The Tegavah Course, inspired by the Yavapai word for “Gathering Place”. Shea builders are the buyers and Trilogy is their main Active Adult Community product. Trilogy at Verde River started selling in late 2015, the main clubhouse will break ground in 2016. The facilities and homes, according to real estate rumors, are going to exceed anything Shea has previously built. The setting alone will contribute to deserving that accolade. As the newest active adult community in the north-east valley in decades, it will be highly publicized. On a recent drive-by we saw lots of activity. If you would like to be kept current on this community, let us know.

Located west of Luke Air Force Base, south of the White Tank Mountains and north of I-10 in Buckeye, Victory is the newest Active Adult Community in the southwest Valley of The Sun.

It is located in the all age master planned community of Verrado. The concept of locating a 55+ Active Adult Community within a multi-generational one is not new, but is gaining rapidly in popularity. Victory offers the home designs of four different builders.

Each of the builders is well established in Arizona and each emphasizes a different lifestyle.

Standard Pacific designs a home with the kitchen and the activity it creates encouraged to flow to the outdoors and utilizes the great room concept to facilitate this.

T.W.Lewis features what they call Open Concept Living. This utilizes the courtyards and patios as part of the living space. They are known for their attention to detail and luxurious lifestyles.

Lennar is featuring their Next Gen living style. They have created a perfect two family integrated but separate home! This is so much in demand with today’s return to a multiple family lifestyle with two generations back under one roof.

Maracay has created the Freedom Line, with split masters, wider hallways and doorways and more conveniently placed appliances to meet the needs of a handicapped family member.

With the four builders, Victory truly offers something for every over 55 person looking to continue living their active lifestyle in a resort setting.

SaddleBrooke is one community with two HOAs. The two were separated in 1994 and have slightly different rules and governance.

SaddleBrooke One has an HOA which has been turned over to the residents to operate. The three golf courses, Tucson, SaddleBrooke and Catalina are totally private with play limited to residents of SaddleBrooke One, Two, the Ranch and their guests. SaddleBrooke Two is expected to be turned over to the residents in 2015 or 2016 when totally built out by Robson. Saddlebrooke One has 2059 homes while SaddleBrooke Two presently has 2700 homes with 3,200 expected at completion.

SaddleBrooke One and Two currently share all of their amenities. The security is maintained by the communities in the form of traffic patrols for autos and golf carts on the private roads connecting the areas. The Security Patrol also provides home checks for absentee residents.

With the incomparable Tucson weather, the magnificent mountain views and the desert color it is easy to sit and just enjoy your resort retirement, but there is so very much to do that you may have to ration your time to be sure of some time to sit and enjoy!

Each of the clubhouses host so many clubs and activities that when you are not playing golf, or using one of the 21 tennis courts, the many Pickleball courts or the 8 indoor and outdoor swimming pools you will want to do something different every day of the month. Each of the fitness centers have full activity calendars. Enjoy dining and a sunset or a quick lunch between activities, you have 3 restaurants and 3 grills to pick from. This is resort style retirement at its’ ultimate.

CantaMia is another great example of locating an Active Adult Community within or adjacent to a multigenerational community. It offers the opportunity for the 55+ family members to enjoy their extensive exclusive Active Adult facilities as well as share the additional recreational activities with their families who live in the Estrella ranch community. This I think is the best of both worlds. It is also interesting to see that as families in Estrella grow and reach the empty nest stage, they are purchasing in the adjacent CantaMia!

CantaMia was designed by Engle Homes, but no construction was started. It was saved from bankruptcy by Joseph Carl Builders, who then joined with Avatar homes (AVHI on the NASDAQ) under the name of Vitalia by AV Homes. The total number of homes when built out will reach 1700, a fairly small community by some standards. The recreational activities however are equal to those of the much larger communities. The 29,000 sq ft Village Center has indoor and outdoor pools, a beautifully equipped demonstration kitchen, an excellent variety of exercise and activity centers as well as a mini café and wine bar. The workout room boasts a cushy bamboo floor and the computer room and fitness center have instructors from Estrella Community College. The common areas use reclaimed water for irrigation in keeping with their entire energy saving theme. There are 14 model homes to guide your home choice, with emphasis being on their Green building techniques. Check the current prices on our website. The builder is a member of the Environments For Living, and is a Green Certified Builder. The homes have been tested for efficient use of utilities and are awarded very high scores. All homes include solar as an energy source. In keeping with the Green living, the exercise, cooking and activity programs are designed to encourage healthy life choices. CantaMia’s Sierra Estrella Mountain views and many lakes provide a tranquil and relaxing setting in which to enjoy your healthy retirement.